With a few architectural and decorative changes, Country Living Contributing Editor Randy Florke transformed this dated house in Livingston Manor, N.Y., into a welcoming country cottage.

The Exterior

The Exterior

By focusing on five key areas, Randy was able to give this house a new look in only three months. The money he spent on remodeling more than doubled the home's value.

First, a fresh coat of paint and a new chimney lent this house real country appeal.

Paint and trim: Randy gave the home's clapboard exterior a much-needed update by painting it a deep charcoal, Benjamin Moore's Templeton Gray. Crisp white trim makes the color pop and draws attention to the main entry.

Front porch: Originally, the porch had wrought-iron railings that looked "dark and unimpressive," says Randy, who replaced them with wood posts he found at a lumber yard, then painted. He bought the door for $20 at a garage sale.

Landscaping: To save money and time, the landscaping was kept the same. The bushes around the house were trimmed to let more light in through the front windows. The result is simple and rustic, like the house itself.

Chimney addition: At a cost of $5,000 to $6,000, this was one of the pricier changes, but it also adds the most to the property's worth. Built-in log storage at the chimney's base is a practical and attractive foil to its boxy shape.